Browsing Archive: August, 2012

When the lettuce bolts, the dill springs fluffy flowers, and the cilantro decides to become coriander, I sit by the plants staring and waiting. I am sure the passersby think I've lost my mind. But look at these lovely rewards!

For centuries scientists have been trying to figure out why
some bacteria cause disease, while others are relatively harmless or even
beneficial. The search has usually focused on identifying the genetic basis for
the ability to cause disease, whether it be the mutation of an existing gene or
the gain of a gene via horizontal transfer. The latter process is
(mostly) limited to bacteria, where gene sharing can enable niche exploration
and adaptation.